“Fashion can be used as a cultural translator and a tool against colonization; it re-establishes the balance between symbols, stories, and different worlds through style.” -Stella Jean, Haitian-Italian fashion designer
(Guinean-American Influencer @fula_princess stunts with a @Telfar bag. )
Fall fashion is approaching. In the midst of a pandemic, the vaccinated and unvaccinated fashionists continue to curate creative aesthetics to brighten up our days. If you are vaccinated and gearing up to hit the town, or if you are looking for some fashion inspiration to style for the gram, this article is for you! We hope you will don a mask with your outfits. Here are some trends that we will be seeing this fall, exhibited by fabulous influencers of the African diaspora.
(Beyonce shines in a little black dress, with a pink jacket and pink platform heels. )
This fall, vintage styles take the crown. Fashion styles such as y2k, or ‘The Year 2000’, are in full effect, and 90s inspired elements such as oversized shirts with fitted caps, thick colorful sunglasses, Missy Elliott style futuristic shades and metallic colors, oversized sweatshirts, wide-legged pants, chunky shoes, and oversized sportswear and activewear will optimize comfort, aesthetic, and weather protection goals this fall. Head to your local Goodwill or Black-owned small business to cop a comfy cotton, velour, or windbreaker sweatsuit before the weather breaks.
(Senegalese-American YouTuber Angwi Tacho keeps it casually cool in her 90s activewear.)
Big bags are in, and BIPOC-owned brands like the Liberian-American-founded genderless brand Telfar are killing the game with minimalist and versatile tote bags of varying sizes. Tops and dresses with cut-out shapes are also a trend we see happening this fall. The color blocking of natural colors like browns, greys, and greens, and bright colors will be a theme.
(Ghanaian-Canadian YouTuber @Herapatra dons a brown look with a cut-out jumpsuit, a brown fur jacket, a white bag, and Adidas Yeezy Foam RNNR “Sand” sneakers. )
Cropped jackets and blazers are definitely a thing, as well as preppy style oversized vests with layers, including white button-downs and turtlenecks underneath. High fashion mixed with street style will continue to complicate the fashion lens, with combinations like hoodies and long trench coats.
(African American influencer Stylish Sistah styles in an animal print power suit with a black purse and black mule heels. )
For minimalists, subtle embellishments will be a trend for you to hop on, including straight-legged pants with small slits on the side of the ankles, purses with chain handles, textured clothes and accessories, power suits, and long button-down dresses. Cowboy boots are also in!
(Haitian-American influencer @StyleofCatalina rocks a blue top with jeans, knee-length cowboy boots, and a green bag.)
Of course, African print fashion will always be in style.
(A Nigerian model wears an African print dress.)
What trend do you predict to rise this fall? Which BIPOC brands do you love? Comment below!
Nana Ama Addo is a writer, multimedia strategist, film director, and storytelling artist. She graduated with a BA in Africana Studies from the College of Wooster, and has studied at the University of Ghana and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. Nana Ama tells stories of entrepreneurship and Ghana repatriation at her brand, Asiedua’s Imprint ( www.asieduasimprint.com ).
